Mechanical, thermomechanical, and creep performance of CNT embedded epoxy at elevated temperatures: An emphasis on the role of carboxyl functionalization

ABSTRACT In contrast to polymeric composites, the role of interface/interphase has been widely acknowledged to govern their overall properties and performance. Environmental temperature has substantial effects on the interfacial durability of polymer nanocomposites. In this regard, present investigation has been carried out to study the mechanical performance of pristine (UCNT) and carboxylic functionalized CNT (FCNT) embedded epoxy nanocomposites under different elevated temperatures. Higher flexural strength and modulus of FCNT‐EP nanocomposite were recorded over UCNT‐EP and neat epoxy at room temperature environment. Flexural testing at elevated temperatures revealed a higher rate of strength degradation in polymer nanocomposites over neat epoxy. Postfailure analysis of specimens has been conducted to understand the alteration in failure micro‐mechanisms upon UCNTs and FCNTs addition in epoxy. Variation in viscoelastic properties with temperature has been studied from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and significant reduction in glass transition temperature (Tg) is observed for nanocomposites. In the studied temperature and stress combinations, FCNT‐EP nanocomposites exhibited better creep resistance over UCNT‐EP and neat epoxy. Room temperature strengthening, elevated temperature strength degradations, improved creep resistance and reduction in Tg in nanocomposites over neat polymer have been discussed in terms of dynamic nature and gradient structure of CNT/epoxy interphase. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44851.